Rivers Community Shuts Down Agip Oil Office Over Neglect and Broken Promises

Mgbuosimini Community in Obio/Akpor Local Area of Rivers State has shut down the Port Harcourt office of the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC).

Early Monday morning, hundreds of community members, including men, women, and youths, blocked the main gate, preventing workers from accessing the facility. The protesters carried placards with messages such as “Agip GMD Stop the Negligence of Mgbuosimini” and “Agip Employ Our Youths.”

The community accused NAOC of neglect and failure to honour agreements made with them.

THE COMMUNITY’S 10-POINT DEMAND

Acting Chairman of the Mgbuoshimini Community Development Council (CDC), Weli Nyeche, outlined several demands. These include the termination of contracts awarded to groups allegedly involved in violence, compensation of one hundred billion Naira for over 60 years of neglect, and the inclusion of the community in decisions related to the reported sale of Agip to Oando PLC.

One major issue highlighted by the community is the ongoing violence attributed to a notorious gang formerly led by the late “Daddy Chukwu”. Before River Police Command killed the said man in April, he was wanted by the Nigerian Police for multiple killings, including the murder of the previous CDC chairman. The community insists that all contracts with this group be terminated and that the current management of NAOC, accused of conspiracy, face legal consequences.

The 10-point demands also included:

“That Agip should ensure to implement fully the items in our 16 paragraph Charter of Demands or the Community will sustain the peaceful protest until the demands are met.

“That Nigerian Agip Oil Company should stop using Mgbuoshimini Community as a platform to undermine Nigeria’s national security and institutions by sponsoring crisis and wanted groups.

“That Crema Giordano, General Manager District of Nigeria Agip Oil Company Limited must be made to face the law for his full blooded racist disposition towards Nigerians in NAOC including Mgbuoshimini Community and this fact is not in dispute.

“That all known Management Staff of NAOC who have been promoting crisis in Mgbuoshimini Community and working against the interest of the host community must be brought to justice.

“That NAOC should comply with the judgments of Court in respect of the rightful traditional Authority in Rumueme Kingdom as it also affects Mgbuoshimini interest and Rumueme kingdom in general with a view to stop trading our rights and entitlements to impostors.”

Livingstone Wechie, another community stakeholder, emphasised that NAOC has neglected Mgbuosimini for six decades despite the community hosting the company’s operational headquarters in Nigeria. He accused NAOC’s General Manager District of making racist comments and actions that undermine Nigeria’s identity and foster conflict within the community.

Currently, NAOC has not officially responded to the allegations and demands. However, a source within the company hinted that a response would be given at an appropriate time. The community has vowed to continue peaceful protest until their demands are met.

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